Announcements
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- Written by: idc-streets-perth
The IDC Street Team took to the streets of Perth last week to promote our upcoming electrical courses; Safe Operation and Maintenance of Circuit Breakers and Switchgear; and Practical Earthing, Bonding, Lightning and Surge Protection.
We visited the offices of Western Power with giveaways of the IDC Electrical Engineering Pocket Guides Volume 3. The Pocket Guide provides an in-depth practical coverage of Power Quality, Power Systems Protection, and Substation Automation, and can be downloaded for free (along with the 5 volumes) from idc-online.com/pocket_guides.
The street team wore attention grabbing high-vis vests emblazoned with the IDC Logo and hard hats with a DIY sign affixed above. This is the second successful street promotion for IDC Technologies, with the first in Perth’s city centre handing out free Formula Pocket Guides.
To view more information on the courses mentioned above please visit here:
Practical Earthing, Bonding, Lightning and Surge Protection - 26th and 27th November
Safe Operation Maintenance of Circuit Breakers and Switchgear - 3rd and 4th December
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- Written by: thinking-boosting-your-career-2010
Choose Your Live Session
Session 1: 9.00am London (GMT/UTC). Click here for time converter Session 1.
Session 2: 12.30pm London (GMT/UTC). Click here for time converter Session 2.
If these times do not suit, please register anyway and we’ll send you a link to a recording. We will be presenting more of these live sessions in future.
What you'll need
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- Written by: complimentary-webinar-study-skills-work-engineers-and-technicians-wednesday-october-20th-2010
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- Written by: free-webinar-essentials-arc-flash-protection
Attend this complimentary review on what Arc Flash is about followed by a simple toolbox of recommendations for your workplace.
Session 1: 9am GMT on Wednesday 16th March 2011 Link to time converter for Session 1
Session 2: 11pm GMT on Wednesday 16th March 2011 Link to time converter for Session 2
Join us for a complimentary live, interactive web-based session entitled “Essentials of Arc Flash Protection Webinar”. After this 45 minute session you will be able to;
• Recognise the dangers of arc flash events to working personnel and their impact on equipment
• Be exposed to the codes and standards dealing with arc flash danger
• Acquire some know-how relating to arc flash impact studies
• Select appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) clothing required for avoiding serious or lethal injuries
Your presenter will be Dr Steve Mackay, the foundation Dean of Engineering at the EIT.
To register: REGISTRATIONS ARE NOW CLOSED
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- Written by: press-release-eit-idc-contribute-the-wa-special-needs-childrens-christmas-party
On November 18th, 2012, IDC Technologies and the Engineering Institute of Technology (EIT) were proud to take part in a heart-warming community project: the Eighteenth SPECIAL NEEDS CHILDREN’S CHRISTMAS PARTY. This is an annual event planned for children who have special needs and are suffering from life threatening illnesses in order to provide them with one of the happiest days of their lives.
Over 3000 people came together at the Herb Graham Recreation Centre in Mirrabooka, Western Australia, including children, parent’s carers, volunteers and sponsors. The children received not only 1 but several free gifts per child in anticipation of the festive season ahead.
There where also multiple rides, an animal farm, fairy floss, ice-cream, and stage acts all for the enjoyment of attendees at no cost thanks to the support from companies like IDC and the EIT.
To find out more about IDC’s or the EIT’s involvement in this event or engineering education, please contact Carolina Asenjo at
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- Written by: free-webinar-essentials-arc-flash-protection
Attend this complimentary review on what Arc Flash is about followed by a simple toolbox of recommendations for your workplace.
Session 1: 9am GMT on Wednesday 16th March 2011 Link to time converter for Session 1
Session 2: 11pm GMT on Wednesday 16th March 2011 Link to time converter for Session 2
Join us for a complimentary live, interactive web-based session entitled “Essentials of Arc Flash Protection Webinar”. After this 45 minute session you will be able to;
• Recognise the dangers of arc flash events to working personnel and their impact on equipment
• Be exposed to the codes and standards dealing with arc flash danger
• Acquire some know-how relating to arc flash impact studies
• Select appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) clothing required for avoiding serious or lethal injuries
Your presenter will be Dr Steve Mackay, the foundation Dean of Engineering at the EIT.
To register: REGISTRATIONS ARE NOW CLOSED
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- Written by: two-complimentary-webinars-catastrophic-engineering-failure-24th-nov-and-study-skills-work-15th-dec-
9am GMT on Wednesday November 24 (for your local time click here)
We will identify common features and then give suggestions to apply in your work.
Highly interactive - you question the presenters and add in your comments as well.
To register: email “Register me for November webinar” in the subject line and your first and last name in the body to
Study Skills that Work - For Engineers and Technicians
9am GMT on Wednesday December 15 (for your local time click here)
Join us for a live, interactive web-based session that provides tips and tricks for study that work. During this 45 minute session we’ll focus on the unique requirements of distance learning (e-learning), looking at 5 myths before moving onto 8 “best practice” tips, distilled from many years of experience. Your presenter will be Dr Steve Mackay, the foundation Dean of Engineering at the EIT, and the facilitator is Ric Harrison.
We introduce a winning formula – 3 ingredients that, when added together, will reward every student.
We’ll also take a little time explaining how our e-learning education works, focussing on the upcoming Advanced Diploma intake.
Whether you are embarking upon a new study routine after some years away from the desk or consider yourself an “old hand”, this session will give you new ideas and motivation.
To register: email “Register me for December webinar” in the subject line and your first and last name in the body to
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- Written by: new-courses-engineering-oil-and-gas-facilities
Special advance notice
Read details about our brand new courses:
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- Written by: free-webinar-essentials-arc-flash-protection
Attend this complimentary review on what Arc Flash is about followed by a simple toolbox of recommendations for your workplace.
Session 1: 9am GMT on Wednesday 16th March 2011 Link to time converter for Session 1
Session 2: 11pm GMT on Wednesday 16th March 2011 Link to time converter for Session 2
Join us for a complimentary live, interactive web-based session entitled “Essentials of Arc Flash Protection Webinar”. After this 45 minute session you will be able to;
• Recognise the dangers of arc flash events to working personnel and their impact on equipment
• Be exposed to the codes and standards dealing with arc flash danger
• Acquire some know-how relating to arc flash impact studies
• Select appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) clothing required for avoiding serious or lethal injuries
Your presenter will be Dr Steve Mackay, the foundation Dean of Engineering at EIT.
To register: REGISTRATIONS ARE NOW CLOSED
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- Written by: youtube-plc-programming-webcast
An overview of some considerations for programming PLCs using the ladder logic method. Basic structures are also introduced. The Engineering Institute of Technology (EIT) provides endorsed engineering Diplomas and Certificates (Masters Degrees accreditation pending), designed for students working in industry who need a practical, relevant education that is delivered efficiently. We use online delivery because it provides many of the benefits of live classroom based study without the inconvenience of travel.
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- Written by: inaugural-eit-graduate-gala-november-2012-perth-and-johannesburg
On the 23rd November, EIT held their first annual Graduate Gala in two locations - Perth, Australia and also in Johannesburg, South Africa.
The Perth Gala was held in the Panorama room of Metro Hotel overlooking the Swan River and the city of Perth. Graduates arrived from all over the region of WA to attend the celebrations and hear from speakers such as Barry Tonkin (WA Division President of Engineers Australia), Justin Shute (former EIT student and lecturer), and Dr Steve Mackay (Dean of Engineering of the EIT). The inventor of the PLC, Richard Morley pre-recorded a special video address for the gala, discussing his lifelong search for freedom and how he has found it working for himself at The Barn (barn.org). Richard joined us on the night, along with many other graduates from all over the world, in attending the celebrations online, through Blackboard Eluminate.
The lead-up to the event was not without drama, with the venue experiencing a total blackout a day before the event was scheduled – only to regain power a mere 4 hours before the Gala was due to start. Despite these behind-the-scenes complications, the night was a resounding success, with much joy and cheer shared by all. Graduates received their special gift from the EIT, presented by Dr Mackay and Mr Tonkin, to applause from their fellow graduates, coordinators and loved ones.
At the South African Gala, the students were so proud to receive their certificates and graduation gifts. They were also delighted to meet their instructors face to face and expressed their gratitude for the encouragement and guidance through the duration of their Diplomas.
Many photos were taken by each student and everyone was in top spirits. We look forward to hosting our next Graduation event in 2013 to congratulate our new batch of students and wish them well as they progress up their engineering career paths.
Both of the Graduate Galas brought together Learning Support Officers, industry guests, graduates, and lecturers of online learning, to connect face to face, and share in the celebration of our graduates’ achievements.
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- Written by: why-our-drawing-systems-are-broken-and-what-do-about-it-2-sessions-choose-0
Attend a thought provoking debate and presentation on the best way forward in terms of bringing our drawing systems into the 21st Century. Session 1: 9am GMT on Wednesday 2nd March 2011 Link to time converter for Session 1 Session 2: 11pm GMT on Wednesday 2nd March 2011 Link to time converter for Session 2 Join us for a complimentary live, interactive web-based session entitled “Why our drawings systems are broken and what to do about it”. During this 45 minute session we’ll use a number of drawing packages to illustrate some of our points with real examples from engineering projects, although we do not necessarily endorse them. Your presenter will be Rob Gillespie, accompanied by Dr Steve Mackay, the foundation Dean of Engineering at the EIT. To register: email with the subject line: “Register me for March webinar #1” (or #2), depending upon your session preference, and your first and last name in the body to
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- Written by: new-courses-in-arabic
Due to popular demand for our e-learning courses to be presented in Arabic, and to make it more affordable, we are now offering several new e-learning certificate courses presented by our expert bilingual instructors. You should still expect the same high quality and standard of our internationally accredited/recognised courses, but now, you are able to attend the courses with the added benefits: Presented in Arabic and English Highly affordable - 4 free reference manuals included valued at the course fee! PLACES ARE LIMITED, AND WITH A HUGE DEMAND, PLACES WILL FILL UP FAST! REQUEST FOR A REGISTRATION FORM TODAY. CERTIFICATE IN Electrical Power System Protection حماية أنظمة الطاقة الكهربية http://www.idc-online.com/newsletters/brochures/EIT_PS_Brochure_Egypt.pdf Commences 28th February, 2011 - Places are filling up fast! CERTIFICATE IN Instrumentation, Automation & Process Control أجهزة القياس والاتمتة الصناعية والتحكم في العمليات http://www.idc-online.com/newsletters/brochures/EIT_IP_Brochure_Egypt.pdf NEWLY ADDED! - Commences 27th February, 2011 CERTIFICATE IN Mechanical Engineering الهندسة الميكانيكية http://www.idc-online.com/newsletters/brochures/EIT_ME_Brochure_Egypt.pdf NEWLY ADDED! - Commences 13th March, 2011 CERTIFICATE IN Project Management ادارة المشروعات للمهندسين والفنيين http://www.idc-online.com/newsletters/brochures/EIT_PM_Brochure_Egypt.pdf NEWLY ADDED! - Commences 20th March, 2011
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- Written by: free-live-webinar-a-fascinating-event-those-working-electrical-or-electronic-engineering
We believe you’ll be curious about our next complimentary “Open Day” webinar. It will be presented live on Wednesday July 14 at 8.30am GMT (9.30am London, 10.30am South Africa, 4.30pm Western Australia). Link to time converter for Webinar Session Watch and participate in a Live electrical power system relay lab session. Using our cutting-edge technologies we will show you how remote laboratories are integrated into our educational programs. You’ll be able to listen and observe as our Technical Director talks us through an actual experimental session, and demonstrates how students can perform experiments on actual equipment, even from a distance of thousands of kilometres. We will use an actual experiment from our Advanced Diploma of Applied Electrical Engineering (which starts August 2). We’ll also spend a little time explaining how our e-learning education works, focussing on the upcoming Advanced Diploma intake. Date and time: Wednesday July 14, 8.30am GMT to 9.15am GMT. If you cannot join us but would like a copy of the session recording, please register as follows anyway. Registration: Please register by emailing Mwila Mulenga at
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- Written by: the-inventor-plc-dick-morley-coming-you-with-a-complementary-webinar
We are honoured to have Richard Morley presenting briefly, “On the future of the programmable logic Controller and programmable automation controller” and to take questions from you. Join us for this fun 35 minute session on the 28th April 2010. Please email
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- Written by: Quintus Potgieter
We are honoured to have Richard Morley presenting briefly, “On the future of the programmable logic Controller and programmable automation controller” and to take questions from you. Join us for this fun 35 minute session on the 28th April 2010. Please email
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- Written by: study-skills-work-for-engineers-and-technicians-now-2-sessions-choose-0
Highly recommended for existing and intending students at any institution Session 1: 9am GMT on Wednesday December 15 (for your local time click here) Session 2: 11pm GMT on Wednesday December 15 (for your local time click here) Following outstanding feedback from those who attended the October 20 web session on Study Skills, we are now offering two live repeat sessions. Join us for a live, interactive web-based session that provides tips and tricks for study that work. During this 45 minute session we’ll focus on the unique requirements of distance learning (e-learning), looking at 5 myths before moving onto 8 “best practice” tips, distilled from many years of experience. We introduce a winning formula – 3 ingredients that, when added together, will reward every student. We’ll also take a little time explaining how our e-learning education works, focussing on the upcoming Advanced Diploma intake. Your presenter will be Robyn Dupuis, Learning Support Officer, accompanied by Dr Steve Mackay, the foundation Dean of Engineering at the EIT, and Ric Harrison, Senior Course Advisor. Whether you are embarking upon a new study routine after some years away from the desk or consider yourself an “old hand”, this session will give you new ideas and motivation. To register: email with the subject line: “Register me for December webinar #1” (or #2), depending upon your session preference, and your first and last name in the body to
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- Written by: the-engineering-institute-technology-now-engineers-ireland-cpd-registered-training-provider
The Engineering Institute of Technology (EIT) has received recognition, endorsement and/or accreditation as a training provider from authorising bodies based around the world. The newest of which is Engineers Ireland. Engineers Ireland has been representing the engineering profession since 1835, making them one of the oldest and largest professional bodies in Ireland. They have more than 24,000 members come from every discipline of engineering, and range from engineering students to fellows of the profession. The EIT is also accredited by these bodies; IEEE in the USA, The Institute of Measurement and Control in the United Kingdom. The Project Management Institute which has more than 265,000 members in over 170 countries. The Training Accreditation Council (TAC) in Australia - the national leader in the strategic management of the recognition and quality assurance of training. The Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) - which aims to promote a high level of education and training of practitioners in the engineering profession. Engineers Australia - which is the national peak body for all engineering disciplines. It represents 80,000 members. EIT courses are recognised for CPD purposes
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- Written by: Quintus Potgieter
The global smart energy market will see seven vendors rising up above the rest, to capitalize on the new era of clean energy production with an added layer of digitization as the Industrial Internet of Things. The seven leading vendors were determined by a study done by Technavio, which considered energy companies that provided services in "smart-grid, HEMS, digital oil fields" and leading solar technologies, all in the name of clean and smart energy production. The efficiency of these power companies was also considered. Technavio estimates that these seven vendors will lead the market from 2016 to 2020. Thus, we begin our series titled Global Smart Energy 2016 to 2020 and catch up with these seven energy companies to see the work they are doing in energy sectors and to see what qualifies them as the top vendors for global smart energy.
Sensus
Sensus' daily concerns are utilities, cities, industrial complexes and campuses. The company prides itself on taking energy infrastructure into the fourth industrial revolution. Now, for the third year in a row, the company has been named the Best Smart Grid Solution. This is according to multiple municipalities offering their opinions at the Municipal Smart Grid Summit (MSGS).
Sensus offers utilities a solution named the FlexNet Communication Network. The network is a utility management system that includes management software which employs systems of smart meters, encouraging more efficient output for municipalities. Sensus claims the network leads to two-times the amount of power output, compared to cities that don't use smart-alternatives. The company supplies smart water networks called AquaSense. Additionally, there are smart metering applications for gas and electricity as well.
The director of the electric market and smart grid technologies at Sensus, Greg Myers, said: "The Sensus FlexNet communication platform is the foundation that all the applications are built on, that enable gas, water, and electric utilities to achieve operational efficiencies and resource conservation."
Sensus says the smart metering, distribution automation and IoT-connected mechanisms within their FlexNet system ensures that two-way communication between provider and consumer is possible - all in the name of efficiency. Joining multiple industries together in one collaborative network is something that needs to happen so that a city can be considered a smart-city, and Sensus is allegedly the choice for some of the top municipalities.
"The FlexNet system has the proven ability to easily adapt to evolving standards like ANSI C12.19, encryption, smart energy profile, DNP 3.0, and IPv6 which provides comfort that as new standards evolve, FlexNet can evolve with them," Myers added.
The FlexNet system also claims it can perform optimally during hurricanes and tornadoes, making their system attractive to American utilities. Through the analysis of immediately available data, smart cities can ensure premium efficiency for their smart grid solutions. For more clarity on how this is possible, see the video below:
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- Written by: Quintus Potgieter
Andrew Stephen Grove was born in Hungary but lived in America and is one of the most lauded businessmen and engineers in recent history. He pioneered research in the semiconductor industry after escaping from Communist Hungary in his 20s. He then built the largest factory of semiconductors we know today as Intel.
Grove is celebrated as one of the forefathers of electronics manufacturing and how it is performed to this day. It is said that Steve Jobs idolized him and would call him for personal career advice. In 2000, he was diagnosed with Parkinsons Disease.
In 1968, he joined Intel as the Director of Engineering and kickstarted the companies electronic manufacturing wing. They started with dynamic memory chips and then moved on to microprocessors. By 1997, the company had progressed past the $20 billion mark.
On the growth of Intel, Grove said, "In various bits and pieces, we have steered Intel from a start-up to one of the central companies of the information economy." Grove thrust Intel from being plain manufacturers of memory chips into undoubtedly the most important company for microprocessors.
One of Grove's mottos was as follows: "Business success contains the seeds of its own destruction. Success breeds complacency. Complacency breeds failure. Only the paranoid survive."
Grove died on the 21st of March, 2016 at the age of 79 years old.
Condolences have been streaming in after the passing of Grove, with engineers sending their well-wishes to his family and remembering the master of engineering he was.
Grove not only cared about microprocessors, he was also interested in lending a hand wherever he could in engineering and science fields. University of California San Franciso Chancellor, Sam Hawgood, said, "Andy Grove was a champion of innovation in the health sciences. His generous and tireless support of UCSF has transformed our university and helped accelerate our research into breakthrough treatments and better patient care."
In the seventh episode of the Engineering News Network, hosted by Steve Mackay, Dean of Engineering at the Engineering Institue of Technology, he recounts what made Andrew Grove special. He said, "[He was] an amazing guy, extremely modest, design orientated, extremely precise, meticulous, all of those great attributes of a fine engineer. And, in addition, he had creativity."
Mackay also spoke of the difference Grove was making in the engineering world as one of the last feats before his sad passing. Mackay said, "One of the last contributions he made was to emphasise jobs over money. He was very interested in the US economy, creating jobs rather than just making bucks."